Additional Reading Tips

Additional ways to help with reading...

SELECTING “JUST RIGHT” BOOKS

Encourage your child to:

• Look at the cover and the pictures inside.

• Read the back of the book and ask, "Does it sound interesting?"

• Look at the numbers of pages and chapters.

• Look at the table of contents and predict, "What may happen in the book?"

• Read the first page and ask, "Is this interesting to me?" and "Are there too many words that I don't understand?"

LISTENING

• If your child is a fast paced reader (tending to rush through), remind him to slow down, listen to what he is reading, and think about what he is reading. Ask questions that will check his understanding, and encourage him to reread when meaning has been lost. Understanding is much more important than speed.

• If your child is a slow paced reader (reading word by word or short phrases), have him read a sentence word by word, then reread the sentence with him at a slightly faster pace, and then let him reread the sentence alone.

ASSISTING

Allow your child to try different strategies for figuring out a word before you read it.

• Look at the beginning letter(s) and make the sounds (“Get your mouth ready.”)

• Look at the picture and think about what is happening in the story.

• Look for a small word inside the big word. (“Do you see any little words you know?”) Then build on it with the other letters.

• Skip the word and finish the sentence. Then come back to it.

• Try a word that makes sense and then read on.

When your child substitutes a different word for the written one, ask:

• Did that make sense?

• Did that sound right?

• Did that look right?

DISCUSSING

Talking about books is an important part of your child's learning. Below are some questions to help you get started in conversations about books and reading.

• Why did you choose this book?

• What do you think will happen next? Which part of the text makes you think that?

• Does this book remind you of anything that has ever happened to you?

• What have you been wondering as you read this?

• Which words or phrases did you really like?

• What has been your favorite part of the book so far? Why?

• Was there a part of the book that surprised you? Why?

• Were there any places in the book that were confusing?

• Does this book make you think of another book?

• Would you like to read another book by this author?

• Is this book too hard, too easy, or just right for you? How do you know?

RETELLING

Listen to your child retell what she read. Encourage your child to start at the beginning, then tell a few main events in the middle, and finish up with a summary of the ending. Children who have trouble remembering details can retell one paragraph at a time progressing up to a full page, several pages and finally the whole story.

UNDERSTANDING

Recognize that reading is still a difficult and tiring task. Be supportive and patient, appreciating the effort that it requires.

Children learn at their own pace. There isn’t much good in struggling through a book that is too difficult. Save it for another day and choose something “just right.”